Ultrasonic solution separator

ABSTRACT

An ultrasonic solution separator comprises an ultrasonic atomization chamber supplied with a solution containing a target material; an ultrasonic oscillator producing mist from the solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber with ultrasonic oscillation; a power supply for ultrasonics connected to the ultrasonic oscillator, the power supply supplying high-frequency power to the ultrasonic oscillator so that the ultrasonic oscillator oscillates at an ultrasonic frequency; and a collection portion transporting the mist produced by the ultrasonic oscillator with a carrier gas and aggregating and collecting the mist included in the carrier gas. The ultrasonic separator aggregates and collects the mist produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber by means of the collection portion. With this ultrasonic solution separator, the temperature of carrier gas in the ultrasonic atomization chamber is at least 5° C. higher than the carrier gas in the collection portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an alcohol separator which separates ahigher concentration of alcohol from an alcohol solution of sake(Japanese rice wine), other alcoholic beverage raw material, or solutionof volatile organic compounds.

2. Description of Related Art

The inventor has developed a separator which separates a target materialwith the characteristics of surface excess such as a alcohol byproducing mist by means of ultrasonic waves (see Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication TOKUKAI No.2001-314724

With this type of alcohol separator, an alcohol solution is filled intoan ultrasonic atomization chamber with a seal structure, and the alcoholsolution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber is atomized into mist bymeans of ultrasonic oscillation of an ultrasonic oscillator. The alcoholseparator aggregates and collects the atomized mist, and separates ahigher concentration of alcohol solution. More specially, the alcoholseparator separates a higher concentration of alcohol solution as atarget material as follows.

With an alcohol, which quickly moves to the surface and exhibits thecharacteristics of surface excess, the concentration of alcohol is highat its surface. When the solution is oscillated by ultrasonicoscillation, fine liquid droplets are ejected from the surface of thesolution as mist into carrier gas by ultrasonic energy. The mist ejectedinto the carrier gas has a high concentration of alcohol. The reason isthat the solution at its surface with a high concentration of alcohol isejected as the mist. Accordingly, a solution with a high concentrationof alcohol can be separated by aggregating and collecting the mist. Withthis method, a high concentrated alcohol solution can be separatedwithout heating a solution. Thus, a high-concentrated target materialcan be separated with a less energy consumption. Furthermore, sinceheating is not necessary, the separator has an advantage that canseparate the target material without deterioration.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus, which oscillates asolution to produce mist and then aggregates and collects the mist in acollection portion. With the ultrasonic separating apparatus of thisfigure, the mist produced in an ultrasonic atomization chamber 4 isaggregated and collected in a collection portion 5. The mist produced bymeans of ultrasonic waves is composed of fine liquid droplets ejectedfrom a solution with a high concentration of alcohol. Since the mist asfine liquid droplets is in a liquid state, the mist can be collected byhighly aggregating it. Accordingly, the mist can be aggregated by meansof the electrostatic attraction forces, or by means of a baffle, whichthe mist collides with. With the apparatus, which aggregates and collectmist, however, the alcohol included in the mist vapors during a processof mist collection, thus, the concentration of alcohol in the mistgradually reduces. For this reason, the mist produced in the ultrasonicatomization chamber has a high concentration of alcohol immediatelyafter it produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber, after that, theconcentration of alcohol in the mist reduces as the mist is transportedto the collection portion. Both alcohol and water vaporize from the miston the path from the ultrasonic atomization chamber to the collectionportion. Alcohol tends to easily vaporize compared with water, thus, theconcentration of alcohol in the mist gradually reduces. Accordingly, theapparatus has a disadvantage that the concentration of alcohol in asolution, which obtained by collecting mist, reduces, though the mistwith a high concentration of alcohol is produced by means of ultrasonicwaves.

Reduction of the concentration of alcohol in the mist can be held incheck by lowering the temperature of carrier gas in the ultrasonicatomization chamber. The reason is that the total amount of alcohol andwater in a vapor state, which the carrier gas can hold, varies dependingon the temperature. When the temperature is low, the total amount isalso low. On the other hand, if the temperature of the carrier gas inthe ultrasonic atomization chamber is low, the efficiency of atomizationfor producing mist from a solution is remarkably reduces. In this case,it is difficult to efficiently produce high-concentrated mist from asolution. This requires high ultrasonic oscillation power for producingthe mist. In order to achieve this requirement, it is necessary toincrease the performance of ultrasonic oscillator and a power source fordriving the ultrasonic oscillator, thus, both equipment costs andrunning costs should be high. Such an apparatus is uneconomic.

Therefore, the present invention has been developed to solve the abovedisadvantages. It is an important object to provide an ultrasonicseparator capable of efficiently producing mist from a solution in anultrasonic atomization chamber, and of collecting a target materialincluded in the mist produced from the solution whereby efficientlyseparating a high-concentrated solution.

The above and further objects and features of the invention will morefully be apparent from the following detailed description withaccompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ultrasonic solution separator according to the present inventioncomprises an ultrasonic atomization chamber supplied with a solutioncontaining a target material; an ultrasonic oscillator producing mistfrom the solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber with ultrasonicoscillation; a power supply for ultrasonics connected to the ultrasonicoscillator, the power supply supplying high-frequency power to theultrasonic oscillator so that the ultrasonic oscillator oscillates at anultrasonic frequency; and a collection portion transporting the mistproduced by the ultrasonic oscillator with a carrier gas and aggregatingand collecting the mist included in the carrier gas. The ultrasonicsolution separator aggregates and collects the mist produced in theultrasonic atomization chamber by means of the collection portion. Withthis ultrasonic solution separator, the temperature of carrier gas inthe ultrasonic atomization chamber is at least 5° C. higher than thecarrier gas in the collection portion.

The above ultrasonic solution separator has an advantage that canefficiently produce mist from a solution in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber, and additionally can collect the target material included inthe mist produced from the solution whereby efficiently separating ahigh-concentrated solution. The reason is that the temperature ofcarrier gas in the ultrasonic atomization chamber is at least 5° C.higher than the carrier gas in the collection portion. A solution isoscillated at an ultrasonic frequency under this condition wherebyproducing mist, mist can be efficiently produced from the solution. Theefficiency of mist production from a solution varies depending on thetemperature of a carrier gas in contact with the surface of thesolution. For this reason, when the temperature of a carrier gas ishigh, the efficiency of mist production is also high. A target materialsuch as an alcohol and a solvent such as water vaporize from mistproduced as fine liquid droplets. On the other hand, when the carriergas is transported from the ultrasonic atomization chamber to thecollection portion, the temperature of the carrier gas lowers at least5°. When the temperature of the carrier gas lowers, the target material,which is included as vapor by the carrier gas, becomes supersaturatedand condenses to a liquid. The condensate target material becomesdroplets and is collected. Thus, the target material becomes mist in theultrasonic atomization chamber, and then vaporizes from the mist, andfinally becomes supersaturated and is collected in the collectionportion. Therefore, the above ultrasonic solution separator has anadvantage that efficiently produces mist from a solution, and, inaddition, can efficiently also collect a target material wherebyefficiently separating a high-concentrated solution.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises avapor heater heating the carrier gas circulated into the ultrasonicatomization chamber, wherein the carrier gas is heated by the vaporheater and is circulated into the ultrasonic atomization chamber.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises asolution heater heating the solution in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber, wherein an ultrasonic atomization device produces mist from thesolution in the state that the solution heater heats the solution.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the collection portion includes a scrubber or a spraytower. The scrubber or the spray tower includes a storage portionstoring the collected solution and contacts the collected solution withthe mist in the carrier gas and collects the mist in the carrier gas. Inother case, in the ultrasonic solution separator, the mist in thecarrier gas may be collected by any one of, or a combination of two ormore of cyclone, punched plate provided with numbers of small holes,wire mesh demister, chevron, filter, capillary and honeycomb aftercontacting the collected solution with the mist in the carrier gas.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises ablower mechanism circulating the carrier gas between the ultrasonicatomization chamber and the collection portion. The blower mechanismincludes a rotary fan for transporting the carrier gas and a motor forrotating the rotary fan through a rotary shaft of the rotary fanconnected to the motor. The motor and the rotary fan are connected by abearing of the rotary shaft, which is sealed by a plastic seal member, amagnetic coupling or an electromagnetic coupling.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises ablower mechanism circulating the carrier gas between the ultrasonicatomization chamber and the collection portion, wherein the height of aninterior space portion from the surface of the solution is not higherthan 50 cm, and the blower mechanism transports the carrier gas in theinterior space portion of the ultrasonic atomization chamber at thevelocity not less than 0.01 m/s.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises ablower mechanism circulating the carrier gas between the ultrasonicatomization chamber and the collection portion, wherein the blowermechanism transports the carrier gas so as to keep the ratio F/V(1/min.) of the volume V (litter) of the interior space portion to theflow rate of the carrier gas F (litter/min.) of the ultrasonicatomization chamber not less than 1.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, a plurality of ultrasonic atomization chambers arestacked and are connected in parallel or in series.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the collection portion includes a conductive metalplate, a cooler cooling the metal plate, a counter electrode opposed tothe metal plate, and a high voltage power supply, which has one terminalconnected to the metal plate and another terminal connected the counterelectrode and generates an electric filed between the metal plate andthe counter electrode.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the collection portion includes a main collectionportion and a primary collection portion connected upstream to the maincollection portion. The primary collection portion includes any one of,or two or more of cyclone, punched plate provided with numbers of smallholes, wire mesh demister, chevron, filter, capillary, honeycomb or adevice for collecting the mist by means of electrostatic attractionforces. Additionally, in an ultrasonic solution separator according toanother aspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic solutionseparator further comprises a blower mechanism circulating the carriergas between the ultrasonic atomization chamber and the collectionportion, wherein the blower mechanism is provided between the maincollection portion and the primary collection portion, or between theultrasonic atomization chamber and the primary collection portion.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the carrier gas is an inert gas or a low watersoluble gas.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises acooling heat exchanger for cooling the carrier gas transported to thecollection portion and a vapor heater for heating the carrier gastransported to the ultrasonic atomization chamber. The cooling heatexchanger is connected to the outlet side of the ultrasonic atomizationchamber. The vapor heater is connected to the outlet side of thecollection portion. The vapor heater includes a heat exchanger, and acirculation path of a refrigerant connects the heat exchanger of thevapor heater to the cooling heat exchanger. Additionally, in anultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of the presentinvention, the circulation path of the refrigerant connects a compressorto an expansion valve in series, and the heat exchanger of the vaporheater liquefies the gas refrigerant, which is compressed by thecompressor whereby heating the vapor heater, while the cooling heatexchanger vaporizes the liquefied refrigerant whereby cooling itself. Inaddition, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, a plurality of cooling heat exchangersare connected in series, and a plurality of vapor heaters are connectedin series so that the refrigerant is circulated around the plurality ofcooling heat exchangers and the plurality of vapor heaters.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the internal pressure of the ultrasonic atomizationchamber is higher than the atmospheric pressure, while the internalpressure of the collection portion is lower than the atmosphericpressure. Additionally, in an ultrasonic solution separator according toanother aspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic solutionseparator further comprises a blower mechanism circulating the carriergas between the ultrasonic atomization chamber and the collectionportion, wherein the blower mechanism is provided on the outlet side ofthe ultrasonic atomization chamber and the inlet side of the collectionportion. In this case, the internal pressure of the ultrasonicatomization chamber can be higher than the atmospheric pressure, whilethe internal pressure of the collection portion can be lower than theatmospheric pressure.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, a solution or a powder is injected into the carriergas on the path upstream from the collection portion or a circulationduct. Additionally, in an ultrasonic solution separator according toanother aspect of the present invention, the collected solution, orparticles capable of aggregating the mist are injected into the carriergas.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, a first spray vessel for spraying a solution into thecarrier gas is connected to the outlet side where the carrier gas isejected from the ultrasonic atomization chamber, while a second sprayvessel for spraying a solution into the carrier gas is connected to theinlet side where the carrier gas is injected into the ultrasonicatomization chamber. In the ultrasonic solution separator, a solutionstored in the first spay vessel is sprayed into the second spray vessel,while a solution stored in the second spay vessel is sprayed into thefirst spray vessel.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the collection portion includes a permeable membranehaving a pore size that is larger than a particle of a solvent of thesolution and is smaller than a particle of the target material. Thetarget material is separated by selectively passing the particle of thesolvent contained in the mist or vapor, which is produced in theultrasonic atomization chamber, by means of the permeable membrane.Additionally, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, the permeable membrane can be made ofmaterial including any of zeolite, cellulose, carbon, silica andceramic.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises asecondary collection portion collecting vapor of the target materialejected from the collection portion by absorbing the vapor of the targetmaterial by means of an absorbent. The secondary collection portion isconnected to the collection portion. The collection portion aggregatesand collects the mist produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber.The secondary collection portion collects the vapor of the targetmaterial by absorbing the vapor of the target material by means of theabsorbent.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the collection portion aggregates and collects themist, which is produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber and istransported with the carrier gas to the collection portion, and thesecondary collection portion collects the vapor of the target materialincluded in the carrier gas, which is collected by the collectionportion. Additionally, in an ultrasonic solution separator according toanother aspect of the present invention, the collection portion includesa cooling heat exchanger for cooling the carrier gas, and the targetmaterial included in the carrier gas is separated from the carrier gasby cooling the carrier gas by means of the cooling heat exchanger.

Furthermore, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, the secondary collection portionincludes a rotary rotor having a void, through which the carrier canpass in its rotation axis direction and which is provided with theabsorbent. The rotor rotates movably between an absorption area and aregeneration area. The carrier gas including the vapor of the targetmaterial passes through the void, and the target material included inthe carrier is absorbed into the absorbent, when the rotor moves toabsorption area, while the absorbed target material is ejected, and theejected target material is collected, when the rotor moves to theregeneration area.

Furthermore, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, a collection path separating the targetmaterial, which is absorbed to the absorbent, is connected to theregeneration area of the rotor. The collection path is connected to aheater heating the collected gas. A blower mechanism passes thecollected gas, which is heated by the heater, through a path of theregeneration area of the rotor. A condensation heat exchanger collectingthe target material by cooling the collected gas, which passes throughthe void of the regeneration area of the rotor and includes the targetmaterial. In the ultrasonic solution separator, the collected gas, whichis heated by the heater, passes through the regeneration area, and thecollected gas, which passes through the regeneration area, is cooled bythe condensation heat exchanger, whereby the target material included inthe gas is aggregated and collected.

Furthermore, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, the absorbent is any of, or a mixtureof two or more of zeolite, activated carbon, lithium hydroxide andsilica gel.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic oscillator is watertightly fixed to adetachable plate, and the detachable plate is watertightly anddetachably attached to a casing of the ultrasonic atomization chamber.In the ultrasonic solution separator the detachable plate is attached tothe casing of the ultrasonic atomization chamber whereby the ultrasonicoscillator can oscillate the solution in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber at an ultrasonic frequency.

Furthermore, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, the detachable plate includes a frontside plate and a backside plate, which are laminated and watertightlysandwich the ultrasonic oscillator between them. An oscillation surfaceis positioned in a through hole, which is provided in the front sideplate so that the front side plate and the backside plate sandwich theultrasonic oscillator between them.

Furthermore, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, the backside plate is provided with arecessed portion, in which the ultrasonic oscillator is fitted, on itssurface opposed to the front side plate.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to another aspect of thepresent invention, the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises ablower mechanism, which blows to a liquid column generated on thesurface of the solution by ultrasonic oscillation of the ultrasonicoscillator so that the liquid column bends in the direction that isparallel to the surface of the solution.

Furthermore, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic solution separatorfurther comprises a bubble generator providing bubbles to the solutionof the ultrasonic atomization chamber. Additionally, in an ultrasonicsolution separator according to another aspect of the present invention,the ultrasonic solution separator further comprises a temperaturecontrol mechanism for keeping the temperature of the solution of theultrasonic atomization chamber not higher than 30° C.

Furthermore, in an ultrasonic solution separator according to anotheraspect of the present invention, a shield shielding the surface of thesolution from a gas in the ultrasonic atomization chamber wherebypreventing vaporization of the solution into the gas is provided on thesurface of the solution. The shield is provided with a through hole,from which the liquid column protrudes, wherein an outlet is arranged toeject the solution provided on the upper surface of the shield wherebyseparating the solution provided on the upper surface of the shield fromthe solution of the ultrasonic atomization chamber.

In an ultrasonic solution separator according to still another aspect ofthe present invention, the ultrasonic atomization chamber is connectedto a solution supply pipe supplying the solution thereto. The solutionsupply pipe supplies the solution into the interior space portion of theultrasonic atomization chamber and includes the ultrasonic oscillator.The solution supply pipe ejects the solution while oscillating thesolution at an ultrasonic frequency inside the solution supply pipe bymeans of the ultrasonic oscillator whereby producing the mist ofsolution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a conventional ultrasonicseparator.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of one example of an ultrasonicatomization chamber and an ultrasonic atomization device.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one example of anultrasonic oscillator and a detachable plate.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the detachable plate shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the detachable plate attached tothe ultrasonic atomization chamber.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a structure of connectionbetween the detachable plate and the ultrasonic atomization chambershown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another example of theultrasonic oscillator and the detachable plate.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another example of theultrasonic oscillator and the detachable plate.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another example of theultrasonic oscillator and the detachable plate.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of one example of arrangement of thedetachable plate provided in the ultrasonic atomization chamber.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one example of a blowermechanism.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another example of theblower mechanism.

FIG. 23 is a graph of a saturation vapor pressure curve showing theamount of water vapor, which can be included in the air.

FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing production of a liquid columnon the surface of a solution by oscillating the solution at anultrasonic frequency.

FIG. 29 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a solution supply pipe ofthe ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one example ofarrangement of an ultrasonic atomization device provided in a solutionsupply pipe.

FIG. 34 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic separatoraccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged view of a blown liquid column on the surface of asolution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An ultrasonic solution separator according to the present inventionseparates a target material, which quickly moves to its surface andexhibits the characteristics of surface excess, from a solution. Wateris mainly used as a solvent, however, solutes and solvents are notspecifically limited. For example, organic solvents such as an alcoholcan be used other than water. Following solutions including targetmaterials can be used, for example.

-   -   (1) Sake, beer, wine, vinegar, mirin (rice cooking wine),        spirits, shochu, brandy, whiskey and liqueur.    -   (2) Solutions containing perfumes such as pinene, linalool,        limonene and polyphenol group, and aromatic compounds or        fragrant compounds.    -   (3) Solutions containing alkane and cycloalkane, which are        saturated hydrocarbon, alkene, cycloalken and alkyne, which are        unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of organic compounds classed as        group of ether, thioether and aromatic hydrocarbon, or a        compound consisting of bounded two or more of them.    -   (4) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting a        halogen(s) for at least one hydrogen atom or functional group of        alkane and cycloalkane, which are saturated hydrocarbon, alkene,        cycloalken and alkyne, which are unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of        organic compounds classed as group of ether, thioether and        aromatic hydrocarbon, or a compound consisting of bounded two or        more of them.    -   (5) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting a        hydroxy group(s) for at least one hydrogen atom or functional        group of alkane and cycloalkane, which are saturated        hydrocarbon, alkene, cycloalken and alkyne, which are        unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of organic compounds classed as        group of ether, thioether and aromatic hydrocarbon, or a        compound consisting of bounded two or more of them.    -   (6) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting an        amino group(s) for at least one hydrogen atom or functional        group of alkane and cycloalkane, which are saturated        hydrocarbon, alkene, cycloalken and alkyne, which are        unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of organic compounds classed as        group of ether, thioether and aromatic hydrocarbon, or a        compound consisting of bounded two or more of them.    -   (7) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting a        carbonyl group(s) for at least one hydrogen atom or functional        group of alkane and cycloalkane, which are saturated        hydrocarbon, alkene, cycloalken and alkyne, which are        unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of organic compounds classed as        group of ether, thioether and aromatic hydrocarbon, or a        compound consisting of bounded two or more of them.    -   (8) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting a        carboxyl group(s) for at least one hydrogen atom or functional        group of alkane and cycloalkane, which are saturated        hydrocarbon, alkene, cycloalken and alkyne, which are        unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of organic compounds classed as        group of ether, thioether and aromatic hydrocarbon, or a        compound consisting of bounded two or more of them.    -   (9) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting a        nitro group(s) for at least one hydrogen atom or functional        group of alkane and cycloalkane, which are saturated        hydrocarbon, alkene, cycloalken and alkyne, which are        unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of organic compounds classed as        group of ether, thioether and aromatic hydrocarbon, or a        compound consisting of bounded two or more of them.    -   (10) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting a        cyano group(s) for at least one hydrogen atom or functional        group of alkane and cycloalkane, which are saturated        hydrocarbon, alkene, cycloalken and alkyne, which are        unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of organic compounds classed as        group of ether, thioether and aromatic hydrocarbon, or a        compound consisting of bounded two or more of them.    -   (11) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting a        mercapto group(s) for at least one hydrogen atom or functional        group of alkane and cycloalkane, which are saturated        hydrocarbon, alkene, cycloalken and alkyne, which are        unsaturated hydrocarbon, any of organic compounds classed as        group of ether, thioether and aromatic hydrocarbon, or a        compound consisting of bounded two or more of them.    -   (12) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting a        metal ion(s) for at least one atom of the target materials        mentioned in (3) to (11).    -   (13) Solutions containing compounds obtained by substituting an        arbitrary molecule(s) of molecules mentioned in (3) to (11) for        an arbitrary hydrogen atom(s), carbon atom(s) or functional        group(s) included in the target materials mentioned in (3) to        (11).

The target materials contained in the above solutions quickly move totheir surfaces and exhibit the characteristics of surface excess. Theconcentrations of these target material are high at the surfaces.Accordingly, when mist is produced from the surfaces of these solutionsby oscillating them at an ultrasonic frequency, the mist has highconcentrations of the target materials. Therefore, aggregating andcollecting the mist can make the concentrations of the target materialshigh. That is, a compound containing a high concentrated target materialcan be separated from the solution.

The following description will describe an apparatus for separating ahigh concentrated alcohol from a solution containing an alcohol as atarget material. However, a target material is not limited to analcohol. Any target materials, which quickly move and exhibit thecharacteristics of surface excess, can be separated.

FIGS. 2 to 11 show ultrasonic separators according to the presentinvention. In an embodiment, components same as or similar to those ofthe other embodiments are attached with numerals with the same lastdigit(s) of reference numerals except the first two digits of numerals.The ultrasonic separator shown in each of these figures comprises anultrasonic atomization chamber 104, an ultrasonic atomization device101, a collection portion 105 and a blower mechanism 1037. Theultrasonic atomization chamber 104 has a seal structure, and is suppliedwith a solution. The ultrasonic atomization device 101 produces mistfrom the solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 byultrasonic oscillation, and includes one or more ultrasonicoscillator(s) and a power supply for ultrasonics. The collection portion105 aggregates and collects the mist produced by the ultrasonicatomization device 101. The blower mechanism 1037 circulates the mistand a carrier gas between the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 and thecollection portion 105.

With these ultrasonic separators, the mist, which is produced from thesolution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104, flows into thecollection portion 105 with a seal structure. The collection portion 105aggregates the fine mist, and further leads a vapor, which vaporizesfrom the mist, to condensate to a liquid, and finally collects a highconcentrated alcohol.

The solution is supplied to the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 by apump 1010. The ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 dose not atomize allthe solution supplied thereto as mist. The reason is that, if all thesolution is atomized into mist, and is collected by the collectionportion 105, the concentration of a target material, such as an alcohol,in the solution collected by the collection portion 105 is same as thesolution supplied to the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104. With thesolution supplied to the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104, theconcentration of the target material decreases as the amount of thesolution decreases due to the atomization. Accordingly, theconcentration of the target material contained in the mist alsogradually decreases. The solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber104 is renewed into a fresh solution when the concentration of thetarget material decreases.

A solution containing the target material with concentration of 10-50%by weight is atomized, for example, in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 104. When the concentration of the target material decreases,the solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 is renewed into afresh solution. The solution is renewed in a manner, which periodicallyrenews the solution into a fresh solution after a set period of time,i.e., in a batch manner. However, a fresh solution may be continuouslysupplied to the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 from an undilutedsolution tank 1011, which is connected thereto through the pump 1010 andstores a solution. With this apparatus, the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 104 is supplied with a fresh solution from the undilutedsolution tank 1011 while ejecting the solution therein, thus, theconcentration of the target material such as an alcohol of the solutionin the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 is prevented from decreasing.

The solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 is atomized intomist by the ultrasonic atomization device 101. The mist produced by theultrasonic atomization device 101 has a concentration of the targetmaterial higher than that in the solution. In this case, the ultrasonicatomization device 101 produces mist from the solution. The mist isaggregated and is collected. In addition, a vapor, which vaporizes fromthe mist, is collected. For that reason, a high concentrated solutioncan be efficiently separated.

The solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 is ejected fromthe surface of the solution W as mist with a concentration higher thanthe solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 by means ofultrasonic waves. When the solution is oscillated at an ultrasonicfrequency, a liquid column P appears on the surface of the solution W.The mist is produced from the surface of the liquid column P. With theultrasonic atomization device 101 shown in FIG. 12, ultrasonicoscillators 102 of the ultrasonic atomization device 101 are arranged onthe bottom of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 where the solutionis filled whereby facing upwardly. The ultrasonic oscillator 102 emitsultrasonic waves upward from the bottom toward the surface of thesolution W, and oscillates the surface of the solution W at anultrasonic frequency, and produces the liquid column P. The ultrasonicoscillator 102 emits ultrasonic waves in the vertical direction.

The ultrasonic atomization device 101 of FIG. 12 includes a plurality ofthe ultrasonic oscillators 102 and the power supply for ultrasonics 103,which oscillates these ultrasonic oscillators 102 at an ultrasonicfrequency. The ultrasonic oscillators 102 are watertightly fixed on thebottom of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104. The apparatus, whichoscillates the solution by means of the plurality of ultrasonicoscillators 102, efficiently produces mist from the solution.

The plurality of ultrasonic oscillators 102 are watertightly fixed on adetachable plate 1012, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The detachable plate1012, on which the plurality of ultrasonic oscillators 102 are fixed, iswatertightly and detachably attached to a casing 1013 of the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The detachableplate 1012 is attached to the casing 1013 of the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 104, thus, each ultrasonic oscillator 102 oscillates thesolution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 at an ultrasonicfrequency.

The detachable plate 1012 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 includes a front sideplate 1012A and a backside plate 1012B. The front side plate 1012A andthe backside plate 1012B are laminated and watertightly sandwich theultrasonic oscillators 102 between them. The front side plate 1012A isprovided with through holes 1012 a opening thereon. The front side plate1012A and the backside plate 1012B sandwich the ultrasonic oscillators102 so that oscillation surfaces 102A are positioned in the throughholes 1012 a. The backside plate 1012B is provided with recessedportions 1012 b, in which the ultrasonic oscillators 102 are fitted.With the detachable plate 1012 of FIG. 13, the recessed portion 1012 bis provided in the backside plate 1012B, however, the recessed portionmay be provided in the front side plate, in which the ultrasonicoscillator is fitted.

In order to achieve watertight sealing between the ultrasonic oscillator102 and the front side plate 1012A, a packing member 1016 is sandwichedbetween them. With the ultrasonic atomization device 101 shown in FIG.13, another packing member 1016 is also attached between the ultrasonicoscillator 102 and the backside plate 1012B in order to achievewatertight sealing between them. However, with the ultrasonicatomization device, the watertight sealing between the ultrasonicoscillator and the backside plate is not always necessary. The reason isthat, when a detachable plate achieves watertight sealing between theultrasonic oscillator and the front side plate, fixing the detachableplate on the lower surface of the casing of the ultrasonic atomizationchamber can prevent leakage of the solution in the ultrasonicatomization chamber. The packing member 1016 is an O-ring of elasticrubber. The packing member of O-ring 1016 is arranged on the outerperiphery of the oscillation surface 102A of the ultrasonic oscillator102 and a surface of the front side plate 1012A opposed thereto. Thepacking member 1016 achieves watertight sealing between the oscillationsurface 102A of the ultrasonic oscillator 102 and the front side plate1012A, whereby preventing leakage of water from there. Additionally, theouter periphery of the ultrasonic oscillator 102 and the backside plate1012B are watertightly connected.

The packing member 1016 is elastic rubber made of Teflon (registeredtrademark), silicon, natural or synthetic rubber, or the like. Thepacking members 1016 are sandwiched between the ultrasonic oscillator102 and the front side plate 1012A, and between the ultrasonicoscillator 102 and the backside plate 1012B so as to be elasticallydeformed by thrusting the packing members 1016. Thus, the packingmembers 1016 come into intimate contact with the surfaces of theultrasonic oscillator 102, the front side plate 1012A and the backsideplate 1012B so as to watertightly seal their joint sections. Besides,the packing member 1016 may be a ring-shaped metal packing member madeof copper, brass, aluminum or stainless steel.

With the detachable plate 1012 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the front sideplate 1012A and the backside plate 1012B are connected to each other byhinges 1017 at one end of each plates. The front side plate 1012A andthe backside plate 1012B of the detachable plate 1012 are pivotalyopened, thus, the ultrasonic oscillators 102 can be easily removed. Whenthe ultrasonic oscillators 102 are replaced, the front side plate 1012Aand the backside plate 1012B are pivotaly opened. After that, oldultrasonic oscillators are removed, and then new ultrasonic oscillators102 and packing members 1016 are arranged into set positions.Subsequently, the front side plate 1012A and the backside plate 1012Bare closed, thus, replacement of ultrasonic oscillators 102 is achieved.In addition, the closed backside plate 1012B and front side plate 1012Aare secured at end of each plates opposite to the hinges 1017 with ascrew (not shown), or secured by fastening them together to the casing1013 of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104.

The above ultrasonic atomization device 101 achieves watertight sealingby means of the packing member 1016, however, the ultrasonic atomizationdevice may achieve watertight sealing by filling the positionscorresponding to the packing member with a caulking compound.Furthermore, the ultrasonic atomization device 101 shown in FIG. 13 iscomposed of two metal plates or rigid non-metal plates of the front sideplate 1012A and the backside plate 1012B, which compose the detachableplate 1013, however, the detachable plate may be one plate as shown inFIGS. 17 to 19. This type of detachable plates 2012, 2112 and 2212 aremetal plates or rigid non-metal plates. The detachable plates 2012 and2112 are provided with recessed portions 2012 b and 2112 b, in whichultrasonic oscillators 202, 212 are disposed, thereon. The detachableplate 2212 is provided with a penetrating through hole 2212 a, underwhich an ultrasonic oscillator 222 is positioned.

With the ultrasonic atomization device 201 of FIG. 17, the ultrasonicoscillator 202 is disposed in the recessed portion 2012 b of thedetachable plate 2012, and packing members 2016 are arranged on theupper and lower peripheries of the ultrasonic oscillator 202.Furthermore, a ring plate 2018 is fixed to an opening of the detachableplate 2012. The ring plate 2018 thrusts the packing member 2016 arrangedon the upper surface of the ultrasonic oscillator 202, thus theultrasonic oscillator 202 is watertightly secured in the recessedportion 2012 b. The recessed portion 2012 b is provided with a throughhole 2012 c on its bottom. A lead 2019 extends outward through thethrough hole 2012 c.

With the ultrasonic atomization device 211 of FIG. 18, the ultrasonicoscillator 212 is watertightly adhered and secured to the recessedportion 2112 b of the detachable plate 2112 by a caulking compound 2120without using the packing member and the ring plate. The ultrasonicatomization device 211 includes a lead 2119, which also extends outwardthrough a penetrating through hole 2112 c on the bottom of the recessedportion 2112 b. The through hole 2112 c, through which the lead 2119passes, is filled with the caulking compound 2120. Thus, watertightsealing between the through hole 2112 c and the lead 2119 is achieved.

With the ultrasonic atomization device 221 of FIG. 19, the detachableplate 2212 is provided with a penetrating through hole 2212 a. Theultrasonic oscillator 222 is secured to the lower surface of thedetachable plate 2212 so that an oscillation surface 222A is positionedunder the through hole 2212 a. In order to secure the detachable plateto the ultrasonic oscillator 222, a securing member 2221 is fastened tothe bottom of the detachable plate 2212. The ultrasonic oscillator 222is watertightly secured to the detachable plate 2212 through packingmembers 2216 arranged on the upper and lower peripheries of theultrasonic oscillator 222. The securing member 2221 is a stepped annularmember, which has a recessed portion and an outer flange portion, and isfastened to the detachable plate 2212 by screwing fastening screws 2222,which penetrate the outer flange portion, in the detachable plate 2212.The securing member 2221 thrusts the packing member 2216 arranged on thelower surface of the ultrasonic oscillator 222 by the bottom of therecessed portion, thus the ultrasonic oscillator 222 is watertightlysecured to the detachable plate 2212. The securing member 2221 isprovided with a through hole 2221A on the bottom of the recessedportion. A lead 2219 extends outward through the through hole 2221A.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are views of the ultrasonic atomization device 101fastened to the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104. The ultrasonicatomization chamber 104 shown in these figures is provided with openings1013A on the bottom of the casing 1013. The detachable plate 1012 issecured to the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 so that the openings1013A are watertightly closed. The detachable plate 1012 is watertightlysecured to the casing 1013 via a packing member 1023. Metal securingmembers 1024 are fastened to the bottom of the casing 1013, in order tosecure the detachable plate 1012 thereto. The metal securing members1024 are shaped in an L-shape. Fastening screws 1025, which penetratethe securing members 1024, thrust and fasten the detachable plate 1012to the casing 1013 of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104. Theplurality of the ultrasonic oscillator 102, which are secured to theultrasonic atomization chamber 104 in such a manner, oscillate thesolution upward from the bottom of the casing 1013 at an ultrasonicfrequency. The detachable plate 1012 is detachably mounted to the bottomof the casing 1013 of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 so that theopenings 1013A are sealed.

A detachable plate may be soaked in the solution of an ultrasonicatomization chamber 234 and oscillate the solution at ultrasonicfrequency, as shown in FIG. 20. In this case, a detachable plate 2312can be disposed to and be easily removed from the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 234. With an ultrasonic atomization device 231 that is soaked inthe solution, the ultrasonic oscillator is watertightly secured to thedetachable plate 2312 except its oscillation surface in the manner shownin FIG. 19, for example.

If the ultrasonic oscillator 102 or the power supply for ultrasonics 103heats the solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104, thesolution deteriorates. Forcedly cooling the ultrasonic oscillator 102can solve this problem. Furthermore, the power supply for ultrasonics103 is preferably also cooled. The power supply for ultrasonics 103 doesnot directly heat the solution, but heats the surroundings thereof.Thus, the power supply for ultrasonics 103 indirectly heats thesolution. As shown in FIG. 12, a cooling pipe 1014 is thermallyconnected to the ultrasonic oscillator 102 and the power supply forultrasonics 103, in other words, in contact with them, whereby coolingthem. The cooling pipe 1014 cools the ultrasonic oscillator 102 and thepower supply for ultrasonics 103 by running a liquid or refrigerant,which is cooled by a cooling device, or cooling water such asgroundwater and running water.

As mentioned above, the solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber104 is atomized into mist by the ultrasonic atomization device 101. Theultrasonic separator shown in each of FIGS. 2 to 10 includes oneultrasonic atomization chamber 104. However, an ultrasonic separatoraccording to the present invention may includes a plurality ofultrasonic atomization chambers 194, as shown in FIG. 11. The pluralityof ultrasonic atomization chambers 194 are preferably stacked in orderto reduce their footprint. The plurality of stacked ultrasonicatomization chambers 194 are connected in parallel by a duct, as shownin FIG. 11, or are connected in series, though not illustrated.

The mist produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 istransported with the carrier gas to the collection portion 105. In orderfor the mist to flow into the collection portion 105, the collectionportion 105 is connected to the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 by acirculation duct 1030. With the ultrasonic solution separator accordingto the present invention, the temperature of carrier gas in theultrasonic atomization chamber 104 is at least 5° C. higher than thecarrier gas in the collection portion 105. The reason is that the mistcan be efficiently produced from the solution in the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104, and additionally the target material includedin the mist can be collected by the collection portion 105 so that ahigh-concentrated solution is efficiently separated. With the ultrasonicseparator, in addition, the temperature of carrier gas in the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104 is preferably 10° C. higher, more preferably 20°C. higher than the carrier gas in the collection portion 105. Thus, theultrasonic separator can more efficiently produce the mist from thesolution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104, and additionallycollect the target material included in the mist by means of thecollection portion 105.

Furthermore, the height of an interior space portion 104A from thesurface of the solution W in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 isnot higher than 50 cm, preferably not higher than 30 cm. The reason isthat the mist can be effectively produced from the solution in theultrasonic atomization chamber 104. In addition, in the interior spaceportion 104A of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104, the flowvelocity of the blown carrier gas is preferably not less than 0.01 m/s.The blower mechanism 1037 circulates the carrier gas in the circulationduct 1030 whereby the flow velocity of the carrier gas passing throughthe ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 is not less than 0.01 m/s.Moreover, with the ultrasonic solution separator, the blower mechanism1037 transports the carrier gas so as to keep the ratio F/V (1/min.) ofthe volume V (litter) of the interior space portion 104A to the flowrate of the carrier gas F (litter/min.) of the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 104 not less than 1. Since the ration F/V is not less than 1,the carrier gas, which is circulated into the interior space portion104A of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104, is renewed into a freshone at the period less than at least one minute.

The ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 2 includes a vapor heater 1047for heating the carrier gas, which is circulated into the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104. With the ultrasonic separator, the carrier gasejected from the collection portion 105 is heated by the vapor heater1047, and is circulated into the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104. Thevapor heater 1047 is a heat exchanger, and heats the carrier gas wherebythe temperature of the carrier gas in the ultrasonic atomization chamber104 is at least 5° C. higher, preferably at least 10° C. higher thanthat in the collection portion 105. With the ultrasonic separator shownin the figure, the vapor heater 1047 is provided on the outlet side ofthe collection portion 105, and the inlet side of the ultrasonicatomization chamber (4).

Furthermore, the ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 3 includes asolution heater 1148 for heating the solution in an ultrasonicatomization chamber 114. The solution heater 1148 heats the solution inthe ultrasonic atomization chamber 114. With the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 114, the carrier gas therein is heated by heating the solutiontherein by means of the solution heater 1148. With the ultrasonicseparator, the solution heater 1048 heats the solution in the ultrasonicatomization chamber 114 whereby the temperature of the carrier gas inthe ultrasonic atomization chamber 114 is at least 5° C. higher,preferably at least 10° C. higher than that in a collection portion 115.With this ultrasonic separator, an ultrasonic atomization device 111produces the mist from the solution in the state that the solution inthe ultrasonic atomization chamber 114 is heated. The ultrasonicoscillates the solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 114 whileheating the solution to boiling state for example, and thus can veryefficiently produce the mist from the solution.

The collection portion 105 aggregates and collects the produced mist,which is transported with the carrier gas, and condenses and collects avapor vaporizing from the mist. When the carrier gas is transported fromthe ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 to the collection portion 105,the collection portion 105 lowers the temperature of the carrier gas atleast 5° C. higher, preferably at least 10° C. The reason is that theproduced mist is effectively aggregated, and the target material, whichis included as vapor by the carrier gas, becomes supersaturated and iscondensed to a liquid. The condensate target material becomes dropletsand is collected.

The collection portion 105 shown in each of FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 8, and 11includes a heat exchanger 1033 for cooling and aggregating the misttherein. With the cooling heat exchanger 1033, the fin (not shown) isfixed to a heat exchange pipe 1034. A refrigerant or cooling water forcooling is circulated through the heat exchange pipe 1034, thus, thecooling heat exchanger 1033 is cooled. The mist produced by theultrasonic atomization chamber 104 partially vaporizes, and is includedin the carrier gas. When the carrier gas is cooled by the cooling heatexchanger 1033 of the collection portion 105, the vapor included in thecarrier gas condenses to a liquid, aggregates, and is collected. Thefine droplets of the mist, which flow with the carrier gas into thecollection portion 105, collide with the cooling heat exchanger 1033 orwith each other, and aggregate to become larger, or with the fin or thelike of the cooling heat exchanger 1033, and aggregate to become larger,and thus are collected as a solution. The carrier gas, from which themist and vapor are aggregated and collected by the cooling heatexchanger 1033, is circulated into the ultrasonic atomization chamber104 again through the circulation duct 1030.

A plurality of sheets of baffle (not shown) may be provided in thecollection portion. Each sheet of the baffle is spaced at interval wherethe mist can pass from an adjacent sheet in the vertical posture. Themist collides with the surface of the vertical baffle and is aggregatedas a solution thereon, and then the solution spontaneously falls and canbe collected. The baffle may have asperities on its surface whereby themist more effectively comes in contact with the surface and iscollected.

Furthermore, a fan (not shown), which forcedly blows and agitates thecarrier gas, may be provided in the collection portion 105. The fanblows the carrier gas in the collection portion and agitates the mistand vapor. The droplets of the agitated mist collide with each other andaggregate, or collide with the surface of the baffle and aggregate. Themist, the droplet of which aggregates or aggregate, quickly falls and iscollected.

Furthermore, a mist oscillator (not shown) for oscillating the mist maybe provided. This type of mist oscillator can increase the probabilityof collision of the mist. The mist oscillator includes anelectrical-to-mechanical oscillation converter, which oscillates thecarrier gas of the collection portion, and a power supply foroscillation, which drives the electrical-to-mechanical oscillationconverter. The electrical-to-mechanical oscillation converter is aspeaker for emitting a sound at audio frequency, an ultrasonicoscillator for emitting ultrasonic waves, the frequency of which ishigher than an audio frequency, or the like. In order that the electricoscillation-mechanical oscillation converter may efficiently oscillatethe mist, the oscillation emitted from the electrical-to-mechanicaloscillation converter is resonated by the collection portion. In orderto achieve this resonation, the electrical-to-mechanical oscillationconverter oscillates at the frequency resonating with the collectionportion. In other words, the collection portion is designed in theshape, which is resonated with the oscillation emitted from theelectrical-to-mechanical oscillation converter.

Ultrasonic waves involve frequencies above the range of human hearing.Accordingly, with the mist oscillator emitting ultrasonic waves, even ifthe gas in the collection portion is intensively oscillated, in otherwords, even if the power of the electrical-to-mechanical oscillationconverter is very high, the mist oscillator does not disturb human withsound. Therefore, ultrasonic waves have an advantage that canintensively oscillate the mist, and effectively collide the droplets ofthe mist with each other, and quickly collect the mist.

Furthermore, the collection portion may have a configuration shown inFIG. 4. A collection portion 125 shown in FIG. 4 is a closed chamber,and includes a scrubber 1249 in order to collect the mist suppliedthereto more quickly. This collection portion 125 includes a storageportion 1278, which stores the collected solution, on its bottom. Thecarrier gas is supplied to the stored solution. This collection portion125 passes the produced mist, which is included in the carrier gas, andthe vapor, which vaporizes, through the solution in the storage portion1278, and collects them. The scrubber 1249 includes a plurality ofnozzles 1250, which spray the solution. The nozzles 1250 are connectedto the storage portion 1278, which is the bottom part of the collectionportion 125 through a circulation pump 1251. The circulation pump 1251sucks in the solution collected by the collection portion 125, andallows the nozzle 1250 to spray the solution. The solution sprayed fromthe nozzles 1250 quickly falls inside the closed chamber. When falling,the solution sprayed from the nozzles 1250 collides with the mist andvapor, which pass through and suspend above the solution in the storageportion 1278 in the collection portion 125, and thus falls whilecollecting them. Accordingly, the mist and vapor, which are transportedto the collection portion 125, are efficiently and quickly collected.However, though not illustrated, the collection portion may also includea spray tower instead of the scrubber. In addition, though notillustrated, the collection portion may also include the scrubber or aspray tower, and additionally collect the mist in the carrier gas bymeans of any one of, or a combination of two or more of cyclone, punchedplate provided with numbers of small holes, wire mesh demister, chevron,filter, capillary and honeycomb after contacting the collected solutionwith the mist in the carrier gas. This collection portion can moreefficiently collect the mist.

Moreover, though not illustrated, the collection portion may includesall the nozzle(s) for spraying the solution, the fan for agitating themist and the oscillator for oscillating the mist therein. Thus, thecollection portion can most effectively aggregate the mist. In addition,the collection portion may include two of the devices for aggregatingthe mist therein, and thus can effectively aggregate the mist.

A collection portion 135 shown in FIG. 5 includes a conductive metalplate 1352 and a cooler 1353, which cools this metal plate 1352. Thiscollection portion 135 cools the metal plate 1352 by means of the cooler1353 whereby the mist and vapor, which are included in the carrier gas,are cooled and aggregated. With the cooler 1353, the metal plate 1352 isfixed to a heat exchange pipe 1354. A cooling fin can be used as themetal plate 1352, for example. With the cooler 1353, a refrigerant andcooling water for cooling are circulated around the heat exchange pipe1354 to cool the metal plate 1352. In addition, the collection portion135 shown in the figure includes the high-voltage power supply 1355,which generates the electrostatic field. With this collection portion135, one terminal of the high voltage power supply 1355 is connected tothe metal plate 1352, while another terminal is connected to an counterelectrode 1356 opposed to the metal plate 1352. The high voltage powersupply 1355 generates an electrostatic field in the collection portion135, and charges the mist and vapor included in the supplied carrier gaswhereby the mist and vapor are absorbed onto the metal plate 1352 byelectrostatic attraction forces. The mist absorbed to the metal plate1352 aggregates and is collected. The vapor absorbed to the metal plate1352 condenses to a liquid and aggregates, and then is collected. Thesurface of the metal plate 1352 can be coated with a conductive waterrepellent. With this metal plate, the droplets, which aggregate on itssurface, quickly fall, and the target material can be effectivelycollected.

Furthermore, the collection portion can include a main collectionportion and a primary collection portion connected upstream to the maincollection portion. The main collection portion can be composed of anyone of, or two or more of foregoing collection portions. The primarycollection portion includes any one of, or two or more of cyclone,punched plate, wire mesh demister, chevron, filter, capillary, honeycombor a device for collecting the mist by means of electrostatic attractionforces, for example. With the collection portions 145 and 155 shown inFIG. 6 and FIG. 7, one primary collection portion 145B or 155B isconnected to the inlet side or upstream side of the main collectionportion 145A or 155A. These primary collection portions 145B and 155Baggregate and collect the mist and vapor, which are included in thecarrier gas transported to the collection portions 145 and 155 from theultrasonic atomization chambers 144 and 154, in advance of the maincollection portions 145A and 155A.

With the primary collection portion 145B shown in FIG. 6, a plurality ofpunched plates 1457 provided with numbers of small holes are arranged inparallel to each other in a closed chamber. The plurality of punchingplates 1457 are arranged vertically relative to the transport directionof the carrier gas. With this primary collection portion 145B, thecarrier gas passes through the numbers of holes opening on the punchingplates 1457, and the mist collides with the surface of the punchingplate 1457, and the solution aggregates thereon. Thus, the primarycollection portion 145B collects the solution that aggregates on andspontaneously falls from the punching plates 1457.

A primary collection portion 155B shown in FIG. 7 is a device, whichcollects the mist with electrostatic attraction forces. With thisprimary collection portion 155B, a pair of branch paths 1558 is providedon the inlet side of the carrier gas. In order to electrically chargethe mist flowing thereto, a pair of electrodes 1559 is arranged in thepair of branch paths 1558. A positive electrode 1559A is provided in onebranch path 1558, while a negative electrode 1559B is provided inanother branch path 1558. The mist flowing into them is electricallycharged by applying voltage to these electrodes 1559. With this primarycollection portion 155B, the positively-charged mist and thenegatively-charged mist are ejected from the respective branch paths1558, and aggregate due to electrostatic forces. Accordingly, thisprimary collection portion has an advantage that can effectivelyaggregate the mist of fine liquid droplets. In the embodiment of FIG. 7,this type of collection device is used as the primary collection portion155B, however, this type of collection device may be used as the maincollection portion.

Since the above ultrasonic separator includes the device, whicheffectively aggregates the mist and vapor, the mist and the vapor morequickly aggregate, and a high-concentrated solution can be obtained fromthem.

The ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 8 includes cooling heatexchangers 1660 of the collection portion 165, which are connected tothe outlet side of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 164 and cool thecarrier gas, and vapor heaters 1647, which heat the carrier gas suppliedto the ultrasonic atomization chamber 164. The vapor heater 1647includes a heat exchanger, and a circulation path 1661 of a refrigerantconnects the heat exchanger of the vapor heater 1647 to the cooling heatexchanger 1660. A compressor 1662, the heat exchanger of the vaporheater 1647, an expansion valve 1663 and the cooling heat exchanger 1660are connected to the circulation path 1661 of the refrigerant in series.With this apparatus, the vapor heater 1647 is heated by liquefies thegaseous refrigerant, which is pressurized by the compressor 1662 bymeans of the heat exchanger of the vapor heater 1647, while the coolingheat exchanger 1660 is cooled by vaporizing the refrigerant, whichpasses through the expansion valve 1663 and is transported to thecooling heat exchanger 1660. The cooling heat exchanger 1660 cools thecarrier gas to be transported to the collection portion 165 from theultrasonic atomization chamber 164, while the vapor heater 1647 heatsthe carrier gas to be transported to the ultrasonic atomization chamber164 from the collection portion 165. This construction including thecooling heat exchanger 1660 and the vapor heater 1647 provided on thecirculation duct 1630 has an advantage that can hold the temperature ofthe ultrasonic atomization chamber 164 and the collection portion 165 ata predetermined temperature. The carrier gas, which is circulatedbetween the ultrasonic atomization chamber 164 and the collectionportion 165, is heated by the vapor heater 1647, and is cooled by thecooling heat exchanger 1660 so that the temperature of the carrier gasin the ultrasonic atomization chamber 164 is at least 5° C. higher thanthat in the collection portion 165. This construction including thecooling heat exchangers 1660 and the vapor heaters 1647 provided on onecircuit can ideally heat and cool the carrier gas while reducing runningcosts. With the ultrasonic separator shown in the figure, the compressor1662 and the expansion valve 1663 are connected to each other with thecirculation path 1661 of the refrigerant in series. With the ultrasonicseparator, however, the refrigerant may be circulated around thecirculation path without the compressor and the expansion valveconnected to the circulation path. Water can be used as refrigerant andcirculated around the circulation path, thus the carrier gas is heatedby the vapor heater, and is cooled by the cooling heat exchanger, inthis ultrasonic separator.

With the ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of thecooling heat exchangers 1660 are connected in series, and a plurality ofthe vapor heaters 1647 are connected by the circulation path 1661 inseries so that a refrigerant is circulated around the plurality ofcooling heat exchangers 1660 and the plurality of vapor heaters 1647. Inthis case, the carrier gas can be ideally heated and cooled, while eachcooling heat exchanger 1660 and the heat exchanger of each vapor heater1647 can be smaller. However, one cooling heat exchanger and one vaporheater may be provided in the ultrasonic separator, and the cooling heatexchangers and the heat exchangers of the vapor heater may be connectedby the circulation path.

In the ultrasonic separator of the present invention, a solution orpowder may be injected into the carrier gas on the path upstream fromthe collection portion or a circulation duct whereby the mist and vaporincluded in the carrier gas are collected. The collected solution can beused as the solution injected into the carrier gas. Moreover, particlescapable of aggregating the mist can be used as the powder injected intothe carrier gas.

With the ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 9, a first spray vessel 1764for spraying a solution into the carrier gas is connected to the outletside where the carrier gas is ejected from an ultrasonic atomizationchamber 174, while a second spray vessel 1765 for spraying a solutioninto the carrier gas is connected to the inlet side where the carriergas is injected into the ultrasonic atomization chamber 174. In theultrasonic solution separator, a solution stored in the first spayvessel 1764 is sprayed into the second spray vessel 1765, while asolution stored in the second spay vessel 1765 is sprayed into thesecond spray vessel 1764. The first spray vessel 1764 and the secondspray vessel 1765 include the nozzles 1766, which spray the solution.The nozzle 1766 of the first spray vessel 1764 is connected to thebottom part of the second spray vessel 1765 via a circulation pump 1767.The nozzle 1766 of the second spray vessel 1765 is connected to thebottom part of the first spray vessel 1764 via another circulation pump1767. These circulation pumps 1767 suck in the solution collected byrespective spray vessels, and the solution is sprayed from the nozzles1766. The solution stored in the second spray vessel 1765 is cooled bythe carrier gas cooled in the collection portion 175. Thus, the carriergas passing through the first spray vessel 1764 can be effectivelycooled by spraying this solution into the first spray vessel 1764. Onthe other hand, the solution stored in the first spray vessel 1764 isheated by the carrier gas ejected from the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 174, the temperature of which is at least 5° C. higher than thecollection portion 175. Thus, the carrier gas passing through the secondspray vessel 1765 can be effectively heated by spraying this solutioninto the second spray vessel 1765. Therefore, this device also has anadvantage that has a very simple configuration and can heat the carriergas supplied to the ultrasonic atomization chamber 174 and cool thecarrier gas supplied to the collection portion 175.

The ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 10 comprises a collection portion185 including a permeable membrane 1879, which selectively passes andremoves water molecules included in the mist and vapor produced by anultrasonic atomization chamber 184. This permeable membrane 1879 has apore size, of the nano-orders, smaller than an alcohol molecule butlarger than a water molecule. A hydrophilic permeable membrane made ofzeolite can be used as the permeable membrane 1879, for example. Thepermeable membrane may be made of cellulose or carbon. This collectionportion 185 removes water molecules included in the mist and vaporsupplied thereto by selectively passing the water molecules withoutpassing alcohol molecules by means of the permeable membrane 1879, andthus separates the alcohol molecules. Accordingly, the concentrations ofalcohol of the mist and vapor passing through the collection portion 185can be high. With the collection portion 185 shown in the figure, aprimary collection portion 185B is connected upstream to a maincollection portion 185A. The permeable membrane 1879 is provided in theprimary collection portion 185B. In this collection portion 185, theprimary collection portion 185B removes the water molecules from themist and vapor, and the main collection portion 185A collects the mistand vapor with high concentration of alcohol, in which the watermolecules are removed. In this case, this collection portion has anadvantage that can effectively collect a high-concentrated alcoholsolution. With the ultrasonic separator, however, the permeable membraneis not limited to provide in the primary collection portion. Theultrasonic separator may have a single collection portion, which isprovided with the permeable membrane and collects the mist and vaporwith high concentration of alcohol.

Furthermore, with this ultrasonic separator, in the case that the mistand vapor produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 184 is heatedand supplied to the permeable membrane 1879, the water molecule can bemore effectively separated by passing the water molecule therethrough.This type of collection portion can be obtained by providing a heater1880 on the inlet side of the collection portion 185 as shown by adashed line of the figure, for example. With the ultrasonic separator,however, since means for heating such as a vapor heater 1847 can set thetemperature of the mist and vapor produced in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 184 high, it is not always necessary to provide heater 1880.Moreover, the ultrasonic separator shown in the figure includes a blowermechanism 1837 for transporting the carrier gas. This blower mechanism1837 is provided on the inlet side of the primary collection portion185B provided with the permeable membrane 1879. In this case, theultrasonic separator has an advantage that can effectively pass the mistand vapor, which are transported with the carrier gas through thepermeable membrane 1879 of the primary collection portion 185B, andremove the water molecules, which is included in the mist and the vapor.However, though not illustrated, the blower mechanism may be providedbetween the primary collection portion including the permeable membraneand the main collection portion.

In the ultrasonic separator of the above embodiment, an alcohol is asthe target material and water is used as the solvent of the solution.Accordingly, the permeable membrane 1879 has a pore size smaller than analcohol molecule but larger than a water molecule. However, with theultrasonic separator of the present invention, the solvent and thetarget material are not limited to water and an alcohol. With theultrasonic separator of the present invention, the collection portion isprovided with the permeable membrane with a pore size that is largerthan a molecule of a solvent of the solution but smaller than a moleculeof the target material. The permeable membrane selectively passesmolecules of the solvent, which is included in the mist and vaporproduced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber. Thus, the targetmaterial can be separated.

The blower mechanism 1037 circulates the carrier gas between theultrasonic atomization chamber 104 and the collection portion 105. Withthe ultrasonic separator shown in each of FIGS. 2 to 11, the blowermechanism 1037 is provided on the outlet side of the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104. The blower mechanism 1037 provided on theoutlet side of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 brings theultrasonic atomization chamber 104 to internal pressure lower than theatmospheric pressure, in other words, brings the interior space portion104A of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 to negative pressurerelative to the atmospheric pressure, and circulates the carrier gas. Inthis case, the mist produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104can be quickly ejected from the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104.Accordingly, reduction of atomization performance due to interferenceamong the fine droplets of the mist produced from the liquid columngenerated by the ultrasonic atomization device 101 is prevented.Additionally, the mist produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber104 is prevented from returning into the solution surface. Therefore,the produced mist can be transported very efficiently. Furthermore, theultrasonic separator has an advantage that can effectively produce themist from the solution by decompressing the internal pressure of theultrasonic atomization chamber 104 to lower than the atmosphericpressure.

The blower mechanism 1037 provided downstream to the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104 is provided on the inlet side of the collectionportion 105, and thus can bring the collection portion 105 to theinternal pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. With theultrasonic separator shown in each of FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7 to 11, theblower mechanism 1037 is provided on the outlet side of the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104, and on the inlet side of the collection portion105. Therefore, the operation of the blower mechanism 1037 can bring thecollection portion 105 to internal pressure higher than the atmosphericpressure, while bringing the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 tointernal pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. The ultrasonicseparator, in which internal pressure of the collection portion 105 ishigher than the atmospheric pressure, has an advantage that can quicklyaggregate the mist in the pressurized collection portion 105. In theultrasonic separator, however, the blower mechanism 1437 may be providedbetween the main collection portion 145A and primary collection portion145B consisting of the collection portion 145, as shown in FIG. 6. Inthis case, the main collection portion 145A is pressurized while theultrasonic atomization chamber 144 is in negative pressure. Moreover,with the ultrasonic separator, though not illustrated, the ultrasonicatomization chamber may be connected to a decompressor, and thecollection portion may be connected to a compressor. In this case, theinternal pressure of the ultrasonic atomization chamber is lower thanthe atmospheric pressure, while the internal pressure of the collectionportion is higher than the atmospheric pressure.

The blower mechanism 1037 includes a rotary fan 1068 for transportingthe carrier gas and a motor 1070 for rotating the rotary fan 1068through a rotary shaft 1069 of the rotary fan 1068 connected to themotor 1070, as shown in FIG. 21. The rotary fan 1068 is provided in acasing 1074 connected with the circulation duct 1030. In the blowermechanism 1037, a bearing 1071 of the rotary shaft 1069 connecting themotor 1070 to the rotary fan 1068 is sealed by a plastic seal member1072. This type of blower mechanism 1037 has an advantage that caneffectively prevent leakage of mist and vapor included in the carriergas, which is transported through the circulation duct 1030, from thecasing 1074 to the outside.

With a blower mechanism 2437 shown in FIG. 22, a motor 2470 is connectedto a rotary fan 2468 via a magnetic coupling 2473. In the blowermechanism 2437, components of the magnetic coupling 2473 are secured toa rotary shaft of the motor 2470 and a rotary shaft 2469 of the rotaryfan 2468, respectively. A pair of components of the magnetic coupling2473 magnetically connects these rotary shafts. This blower mechanism2437 has a seal structure closed to the outside, and prevents leakage ofthe mist and vapor included in the carrier gas from the casing 1074 tothe outside. Though not illustrated, however, the blower mechanism mayinclude an electromagnetic coupling instead of the magnetic coupling.

With the ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104 is connected to the collection portion 105 bythe circulation duct 1030. An oxygen reduction device 1075 is providedon the circulation path, through which the carrier gas is circulatedaround the ultrasonic atomization chamber 104, the collection portion105 and the circulation duct 1030. The oxygen reduction device 1075reduces the concentration of oxygen in the carrier gas. This type ofultrasonic separator can reduce the concentration of oxygen included inthe carrier gas, which is circulated through the circulation duct 1030and contains the mist produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber104, by means of the oxygen reduction device 1075. Accordingly, theultrasonic separator has an advantage that can prevent oxidation of thetarget material included in the transported carrier gas duringtransportation. Therefore, the target material can be collected in highquality without deterioration.

The ultrasonic atomization chamber 104 and the collection portion 105are preferably filled with inert gases as the carrier gas. In this case,the inert gases prevent deterioration of the solution in the ultrasonicatomization chamber 104 or the collection portion 105. Therefore, aconcentrated solution with higher quality can be obtained. However, airor gases with the low solubility to the water may be also used as thecarrier gas.

On the other hand, an alcohol in the mist vaporizes. Thus, the alcoholsupplied to the collection portion includes fine droplets as the mistand the vapor. The alcohol supplied as the mist aggregates and iscollected by the collection portion, while the alcohol of vapor iscondensed to a liquid by cooling the carrier gas and is collected.Although the alcoholic vapor can be collected by condensing thealcoholic vapor to a liquid, the amount of alcohol collected bycondensing the alcoholic vapor to a liquid is limited. The reason isthat the cooled carrier gas can contain a little alcohol and water ofvapor. FIG. 23 is a graph of a saturation vapor pressure curve showingthe amount of water vapor, which can be contained in the air. In otherwords, the figure is a graph of a relationship between the total amountof water included in the air in the saturation, i.e., 100% humidity, andtemperature. As shown in the amount of water included in the air of thisfigure, the total amount of water and alcohol, which can be included inthe air, varies depending on the temperature. The total amount increasesas the temperature increases, while the total amount decreases as thetemperature decreases.

As seen in this figure, the amount of water, which can be contained inthe air used as a carrier gas, decreases as the temperature decreases.Thus, the water and alcohol of gas that become supersaturated condensesto a liquid when the air is cooled. As seen in this graph, even if thetemperature of the air becomes 0° C., the air can contain water ofvapor, and all the alcohol cannot be collected by condensing thealcohol.

Unfortunately, when the alcohol and water, which vaporize from the mistand are contained in the carrier gas, are collected by condensing them,the water tends to be collected more easily than the alcohol bycondensing them. Namely, the alcohol tends to vaporize from the mistmore easily than the water, while the water tends to condense to aliquid more easily than the alcohol after they vaporize. For thisreason, after the alcohol and water are collected by cooling the carriergas, the concentration of alcohol included in the carrier gas becomeshigher. The reason is that, an alcohol tends to easily vaporize but isless prone to condense to a liquid. For example, as compared with 30 molof the concentration of alcohol in the mist produced in the ultrasonicatomization chamber, the concentration of alcohol in the mist suppliedto the collection portion decreases to 25 mol. On the other hand, as forthe concentration of alcohol of vapor contained in the carrier gas,compared with 50 mol in the state that the carrier gas is supplied tothe collection portion, the concentration in the state that the carriergas is ejected from the collection portion extremely increases to 70mol. This shows that though the mist with high concentration of alcoholis produced, the alcohol cannot be effectively collected. This problemcan be solved by more effectively condensing an alcohol and water andcollecting the alcohol under the condition where the carrier gas iscooled to lower temperature. However, when the temperature of thecarrier gas is low, energy consumption for cooling increases, andrunning cost increases. Furthermore, when a low-temperature carrier gasis supplied to the ultrasonic atomization chamber, the efficiency ofatomization from the solution extremely decreases. Accordingly, thelow-temperature carrier gas should be heated and then supplied to theultrasonic atomization chamber. In this case, there is a defect thatrequires a large amount of energy for heating, as the temperature of thecarrier gas is lower.

Therefore, it is difficult for an ultrasonic separator to effectivelycollect mist while producing the mist with high concentration of alcoholin the ultrasonic atomization chamber. This problem can be solved asfollows. A solution containing a target material, which quickly moves tosurface thereof and exhibits the characteristics of surface excess, isoscillated at an ultrasonic frequency in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber whereby the mist produced therein. The produced mist istransported to the collection portion. The target material is collectedin the collection portion by aggregating it, and is separated from thesolution. After the mist is collected in the collection portion, thetarget material of vapor is absorbed by an absorbent and is collected ina secondary collection portion.

The ultrasonic separators shown in FIGS. 24 to 27 additionally includesecondary collection portions 2536, 2636, 2736, and 2836 connected tothe collection portions 255, 265, 275, and 285 in the foregoingapparatuses. Components except the secondary collection portion in theapparatuses shown in these figures can serve to separate the targetmaterial similarly to those of the foregoing apparatuses without asecondary collection portion. Accordingly, components same as or similarto those of the foregoing embodiments are attached with numerals withthe same last digit(s) of reference numerals except the first two digitsof numerals, and their description is omitted. Furthermore, inembodiments shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, components same as or similar tothose of the other embodiments are attached with numerals with the samelast digit(s) of reference numerals except the first two digits ofnumerals.

With the secondary collection portion 2536, a vapor, such as an alcoholof the target material, included in the carrier gas, is collected byabsorbing the vapor by means of an adsorbent 2538. In the secondarycollection portion 2536, the alcohol adsorbed by the adsorbent 2538 isejected by a heated collection gas, and the ejected alcohol is condensedto a liquid and is collected by cooling the collection gas.

The secondary collection portion 2536 of the figure includes a rotor2539 to be rotated and a rotary drive mechanism 2540 for rotating thisrotor 2539. The rotary drive mechanism 2540 is a reduction motor orservomotor, which rotates the rotor 2539 at predetermined speed. Therotor 2539 is a honey cam rotor having voids through which the carriergas can pass in the direction of a rotary shaft. This rotor 2539includes the adsorbent 2538 in the void. Any of, or a mixture of two ormore of zeolite, activated carbon, lithium hydroxide and silica gel canbe used as the absorbent 2538. The rotor 2539 rotates movably between anabsorption area 2539A where the vapor is adsorbed and a regenerationarea 2539B where the adsorbed vapor is ejected. In the rotor 2539 of thefigure, the upper portion is drawn as the adsorption area 2539A, and thelower portion is drawn as the regeneration area 2539B.

When the rotor 2539 moves to the absorption area 2539A, the carrier gascontaining the vapor of alcohol of the target material passes throughthe void, and the alcohol of the target material included in the carriergas adsorbed into the absorbent 2538. When the rotor 2539 rotates andmoves to the regeneration area 2539B, the adsorbed alcohol of the targetmaterial is ejected. The ejected alcohol of the target material iscollected by cooling the collected vapor. The carrier gas passingthrough the adsorption area 2539A of the rotor 2539 is transported tothe ultrasonic atomization chamber 254 again.

In order to collect the alcohol of the target material, which isadsorbed by the adsorbent 2538 of the rotor 2539, from the adsorbent2538, a collection path 2541 separating the target material is connectedto the regeneration area 2539B of the rotor 2539. A heater 2542, ablower mechanism 2543, and a condensation heat exchanger 2544 areconnected to this collection path 2541. The heater 2542 heats thecollected vapor to be supplied to the rotor 2539. The blower mechanism2543 passes the collected vapor heated by the heater 2542 through thepath to the regeneration area 2539B of the rotor 2539. The condensationheat exchanger 2544 cools the collected vapor, which contains thealcohol of the target material after passing through the regenerationarea 2539B of the rotor 2539, and condenses and collects the alcohol ofthe target material.

When the collected vapor passes through the regeneration area 2539B ofthe rotor 2539 after heated by the heater 2542, the alcohol of thetarget material adsorbed into the adsorbent 2538 is separated from theadsorbent 2538. The collected vapor, which contains the alcohol of thetarget material after passing through the regeneration area 2539B, iscooled by the condensation heat exchanger 2544. The amount of targetmaterial, which can be contained by the collected and cooled vapor, isgetting less. Thus, the alcohol of the target material becomessupersaturated and condenses to a liquid. That is, the condensation heatexchanger 2544 condenses the vapor of the alcohol of the target materialincluded in the collected vapor to a liquid, or freezes it to a solid,and collects the alcohol of the target material.

With the ultrasonic separator of FIG. 25, one cooling chiller 2645 coolsa condensation heat exchanger 2644, which cools the collected vapor, anda cooling heat exchanger 2633, which is provided in the collectionportion 265 and cools the carrier gas. In this case, since one coolingchiller 2645 can cool two heat exchangers, it is possible to simplifythe whole structure.

With the ultrasonic separators of FIGS. 26 and 27, heat exchangers 2733and 2833 unitarily serves as cooling heat exchangers 2733 and 2833,which are provided in the collection portions 275 and 285 and cool thecarrier gas, and condensation heat exchangers 2744 and 2844 which coolthe collected vapor in the collection paths 2741 and 2841. That is, oneheat exchanger cools the carrier gas and the collected vapor. Thecarrier gas and the collected vapor pass through areas divided from eachother so that they are not mixed.

With the ultrasonic separator of FIG. 27, a heating heat exchanger 2846is provided between the secondary collection portion 2836 and anultrasonic atomization chamber 284. The heating heat exchanger 2846hearts the carrier gas which is circulated between the secondarycollection portion 2836 and the ultrasonic atomization chamber 284. Inthis ultrasonic separator, since the carrier gas supplied to theultrasonic atomization chamber 284 can be heated, the mist can beefficiently produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 284. Thereason is that the amount of mist production increases as thetemperature of the carrier gas and the solution is higher. The extent towhich the mist produced from the solution in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 284 depends on the temperature of the solution and the carriergas. The heating heat exchanger 2846 heats the carrier gas to 25 to 30°C. However, the carrier gas may be heated to 15 to 40° C. by the heatingheat exchanger 2846, and then be supplied to the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 284. When the temperature of the carrier gas supplied to theultrasonic atomization chamber 284 is high, the amount of mistproduction increases. But, when the temperature is too high, the targetmaterial such as an alcohol deteriorates. On the other hand, when thetemperature is too low, the efficiency of production of the targetmaterial is prone to decrease.

With the ultrasonic separator of FIG. 27, the heating heat exchanger2846 which heats the carrier gas serves as a heater 2842 which heats thecollected vapor so that the collected vapor is heated by the heatingheat exchanger 2846 for heating the carrier gas. In this type ofapparatus, one heating heat exchanger 2846 can heat both the carrier gasand the collected vapor. In this heating heat exchanger 2846, thecarrier gas and the collected vapor are separated and heated wherebythey are not mixed.

It is important for the ultrasonic separator to efficiently produce themist by oscillating the solution at an ultrasonic frequency. When thesolution is oscillated upward from the bottom at an ultrasonicfrequency, a liquid column P is generated from the surface of thesolution W as shown in FIG. 28, and the mist is produced therefrom.Upward and downward ultrasonic waves collide inside the liquid column P.This collision of the ultrasonic waves causes reduction of atomizationefficiency from the solution. The reason is that the solution can not beoscillated at an ultrasonic frequency due to damping of ultrasonic waveswhen ultrasonic waves collide inside the liquid column P.

This problem can be solved as follows. A blower mechanism for blowing toa liquid column generated from the surface of the solution by ultrasonicoscillation by means of the ultrasonic oscillator is provided in theultrasonic oscillator. The blower mechanism blows to the liquid columnso that the liquid column bends in the direction that is parallel to thesurface of the solution.

The ultrasonic separators shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 include blowermechanisms 2927 and 3027, which blow to the liquid column P generatedfrom the surface of the solution W by ultrasonic oscillation by means ofthe ultrasonic oscillator 292 and 302. Components except the blowermechanism in the apparatuses shown in these figures can serve similarlyto those of the foregoing apparatuses. Accordingly, components same asor similar to those of the foregoing embodiments are attached withnumerals with the same last digit(s) of reference numerals except thefirst two digits of numerals, and their description is omitted.Furthermore, in embodiments shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, components same asor similar to those of the other embodiments are attached with numeralswith the same last digit(s) of reference numerals except the first twodigits of numerals.

The liquid column P generated from the surface of the solution W byultrasonic oscillation is blown from the blower mechanisms 2927 and3027. Blowing to the liquid column P by the blower mechanisms 2927 and3027 bends the liquid column P in the direction that is parallel to thesurface of the solution W. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, blowing bendsthe liquid column P so that the end of the liquid column P is bent, orthe whole liquid column P is inclined. The shape of the liquid column Pbent toward the direction that is parallel to the surface of thesolution W by the blower mechanisms 2927 and 3027 depends on the amountand velocity of blowing, and a region of the liquid column blown by theblower mechanisms 2927 and 3027. When the end of the liquid column P isblown, the liquid column P is bent whereby the end is blown off as shownin the figure. Although not illustrated, when the whole liquid column isblown, the liquid column is bent whereby the whole liquid column isinclined relative to the vertical direction. The extent to which theliquid column P is bent is larger, as the velocity of blowing is higher.The blower mechanisms 2927 and 3027 blow to the liquid column P so thatthe angle (a) between the end of the liquid column P and the verticalaxis that is an axis perpendicular to the surface of the solution W andpasses the center of the base of the liquid column P is not less than150, preferably not less than 300.

The blower mechanisms 2927 and 3027 include fans 2929 and 3029 whichblow to the liquid column P. The blower mechanism is provided inside anultrasonic atomization chamber 294 as shown in FIG. 29, or inside acirculation duct 3030 connected to an ultrasonic atomization chamber 304as shown in FIG. 30. The fan 2929 provided in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 294 sucks and blows air in the ultrasonic atomization chamber294 to the liquid column P. The fan 3029 provided in the circulationduct 3030 accelerates air circulated through the circulation duct 3030and blows it to the liquid column P.

With as the ultrasonic separator of FIG. 31, the solution is supplied toan ultrasonic atomization chamber 314 through a solution supply pipe3131 the solution in the solution supply pipe 3131 is oscillated at anultrasonic frequency and is ejected to an interior space portion 314A ofthe ultrasonic atomization chamber 314 whereby mist is produced. Withthis apparatus, an ultrasonic oscillator 312 is fixed on the path of thesolution inlet pipe 3131. The ultrasonic oscillator 312 is fixed on theperiphery of the solution supply pipe 3131 and oscillates the solutiontherein at an ultrasonic frequency toward the transportation directionas shown in FIG. 32, or is fixed at a corner part of the solution supplypipe 3331 so as to oscillate the solution therein at an ultrasonicfrequency in the transportation direction. The ultrasonic oscillator 312fixed to the straight portion of the solution supply pipe 3131 of FIG.32 emits supersonic waves in an incline direction or the transversedirection. This ultrasonic oscillator 312 may be fixed on the peripheryof the solution supply pipe 3131. For example, the ultrasonic oscillator312 can be also fixed on the upper surface of the solution supply pipe3131 as shown a dashed line of the figure.

The solution supply pipes 3131 and 3331 are connected to the ultrasonicatomization chamber in the horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 31 and33. A solution supply pipe 3431 is connected to the ultrasonicatomization chamber so as to be upwardly inclined. Although notillustrated, a solution supply pipe may be connected to the ultrasonicatomization chamber so as to be downwardly inclined. The solutionejected from the solution supply pipe 3431 inclined upwardly fallsdownward from its end through the top while bending. The solutionejected from the solution supply pipe 3431 with this posture falls whilebending sharply. The solution ejected from the solution supply pipes3131 and 3331 with the horizontal posture bend so that their fore endsdownwardly fall. The solution supply pipes 3131, 3331, and 3431 areconnected to the ultrasonic atomization chambers 314, 334, and 344 inthe posture where they intersect the vertical direction. Thus, thesolution ejected therefrom falls while bending due to its weight.

With the ultrasonic separators shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, the solution isstored in the bottom part of the ultrasonic atomization chamber 314,334, or 344. The solution supply pipe 3131, 3331, or 3431 supplies thesolution to the interior space portion 314A, 334A, or 344A above thesurface of the stored solution W. However, the ultrasonic separator mayeject the solution, which is supplied to the interior space portion ofthe ultrasonic atomization chamber from the solution supply pipe,without storing it in the bottom part from the ultrasonic atomizationchamber.

With the ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, shields 2932and 3032 cover the surface of the solution W, as shown in an enlargedview of FIG. 35. The shields 2932 and 3032 are provided with throughholes 2932A and 3032A, which open so that the liquid column P protrudestherefrom. These shields 2932 and 3032 shield the surface of thesolution W from the gas the ultrasonic atomization chambers 294 and 304so as to prevent vaporization of the solution into the gas. In thiscase, the solution, which vaporizes, can be less prone to aggregate andbe collected with the mist. If the solution vaporizes in the ultrasonicatomization chamber 294 or 304, the concentration of the target materialin the gas that vaporizes from the solution that becomes lower than themist produced from the solution. The reason is that the mist of thesolution is produced into the gas under surface excess conditions, thus,the concentration of the target material therein is higher than the gasthat vaporizes.

The shields 2932 and 3032 are sheets or plates of a plastic, which floaton the solution, or metal plates or the like, which are horizontallyfixed to the ultrasonic atomization chambers 294 and 304 and throughwhich the solution does not pass. With the shields 2932 and 3032, aseparation wall 2932B is disposed around the through hole 2932A or3032A, and separates the solution falling onto the shield 2932 or 3032from the solution under the shield 2932 or 3032. That is, the separationwall prevents the solution under the shield 2932 or 3032 from beingmixed with the solution falling onto the shield 2932 or 3032. With theultrasonic atomization chambers 294 and 304, an outlet 2935 or 3055 isarranged to eject the solution supplied onto the upper surface of theshield 2932 or 3032 whereby separating the solution supplied onto theupper surface of the shield 2932 or 3032 from the solution under theshield 2932 or 3032. The solution falling onto the shield 2932 or 3032is ejected from the ultrasonic atomization chamber 294 or 304 wherebyseparating it from the solution under the shield 2932 or 3032, as shownby an arrow A of FIG. 29, 30 or 35. The solution falling onto the shield2932 or 3032 is the rest of the solution, a part of which is produced asthe mist containing a high-concentrated target material from.Accordingly, the concentration of the target material in this solutionis lower than the solution under the shield 2932 or 3032. If thesolution on the shield 2932 or 3032 is mixed with the solution under theshield 2932 or 3032, the concentration of the target material in thesolution under the shield 2932 or 3032 decreases. On the other hand, inthe case that the solution on the shield 2932 or 3032 is ejected withoutmixing it with the solution under the shield 2932 or 3032, the solution,which the mist is separated from, does not reduce the concentration ofthe target material in the solution under the shield 2932 or 3032. Thus,the concentration of the target material in the mist produced therefromcan be constantly high.

With the ultrasonic separator of FIG. 31, the solution ejected from thesolution supply pipe 3131 is stored in the bottom part of the ultrasonicatomization chamber 314, and this solution is circulated into anundiluted solution tank 3111. The solution in the undiluted solutiontank 3111 is sucked by a pump 3110, and is supplied to the solutionsupply pipe 3131. The solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 314supplied from the solution supply pipe 3131 overflows therefrom, andcirculates into the undiluted solution tank 3111. With this apparatus,the concentration of the target material included in the solutionreduces as the target material is separated. Accordingly, when theconcentration of the target material in the solution becomes low, thewhole solution is renewed. The solution of the ultrasonic atomizationchamber 314 can be ejected to the outside without circulating it intothe undiluted solution tank 3111, as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 31,whereby preventing reduction of the concentration of the target materialincluded in the undiluted solution tank 3111.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic solution separator of FIG. 30 furthercomprises a bubble generator 3028 providing bubbles to the solution ofthe ultrasonic atomization chamber 304. The bubble generator 3028 isprovided with a bubble generation portion 3028A in the solution of theultrasonic atomization chamber 304. This bubble generation portion 3028Aprovides bubbles into the solution. Accordingly, the ultrasonicseparator providing bubbles into the solution of the ultrasonicatomization chamber 304 increases gas solubility in the solution, andenhances cavitation produced in the solution. Thus, the ultrasonicseparator has an advantage that can efficiently produce the mist fromthe solution by means of ultrasonic waves.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic separator shown in FIG. 30 includes atemperature control mechanism 3081 for controlling the temperature ofthe solution in the ultrasonic atomization chamber 304. The temperaturecontrol mechanism 3081 includes a cooler 3076 for cooling the solutionso that the temperature of the solution is lower than a predeterminedtemperature. This temperature control mechanism 3081 detects thetemperature of the solution stored in the ultrasonic atomization chamber304 by means of a temperature sensor 3077, and controls the cooler 3076whereby keeping the temperature of the solution in the ultrasonicatomization chamber 304 not higher than 30° C. Thus, the ultrasonicseparator, which controls the temperature of the solution by means ofthe temperature control mechanism 3081 can increases the solubility ofbubbles of gas supplied from the bubble generator 3028.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than bythe description preceding them, and all changes that fall within themetes and bounds of the claims, or the equivalence of such metes andbounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.

This application is based on applications No. 2003-280499 filed in Japanon Jul. 25, 2003, No. 2003-302161 filed in Japan on Aug. 26, 2003, No.2003-303705 filed in Japan on Aug. 27, 2003, and No. 2003-303706 filedin Japan on Aug. 27, 2003, the contents of which are incorporatedhereinto by reference.

1. An ultrasonic solution separator comprising: an ultrasonicatomization chamber supplied with a solution containing a targetmaterial; an ultrasonic oscillator producing mist from the solution inthe ultrasonic atomization chamber with ultrasonic oscillation; a powersupply for ultrasonics connected to the ultrasonic oscillator, the powersupply supplying high-frequency power to the ultrasonic oscillator sothat the ultrasonic oscillator oscillates at an ultrasonic frequency;and a collection portion transporting the mist produced by theultrasonic oscillator with a carrier gas and aggregating and collectingthe mist included in the carrier gas, the ultrasonic solution separatoraggregating and collecting the mist produced in the ultrasonicatomization chamber by means of the collection portion, wherein thetemperature of carrier gas in the ultrasonic atomization chamber is atleast 5° C. higher than the carrier gas in the collection portion. 2.The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, the ultrasonicsolution separator further comprising a vapor heater heating the carriergas circulated into the ultrasonic atomization chamber, wherein thecarrier gas is heated by the vapor heater and is circulated into theultrasonic atomization chamber.
 3. The ultrasonic solution separatoraccording to claim 1, the ultrasonic solution separator furthercomprising a solution heater heating the solution in the ultrasonicatomization chamber, wherein an ultrasonic atomization device producesmist from the solution in the state that the solution heater heats thesolution.
 4. The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1,wherein the collection portion includes a scrubber or a spray tower, andthe scrubber or the spray tower includes a storage portion storing thecollected solution and contacts the collected solution with the mist inthe carrier gas and collects the mist in the carrier gas.
 5. Theultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, wherein thecollection portion includes a scrubber or a spray tower, and thescrubber or the spray tower includes a storage portion storing thecollected solution, wherein the mist in the carrier gas is collected byany one of, or a combination of two or more of cyclone, punched plateprovided with numbers of small holes, wire mesh demister, chevron,filter, capillary and honeycomb after contacting the collected solutionwith the mist in the carrier gas.
 6. The ultrasonic solution separatoraccording to claim 1, the ultrasonic solution separator furthercomprising a blower mechanism circulating the carrier gas between theultrasonic atomization chamber and the collection portion, the blowermechanism including a rotary fan for transporting the carrier gas and amotor for rotating the rotary fan through a rotary shaft of the rotaryfan connected to the motor, wherein the motor and the rotary fan areconnected by a bearing of the rotary shaft, which is sealed by a plasticseal member, a magnetic coupling or an electromagnetic coupling.
 7. Theultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, the ultrasonicsolution separator further comprising a blower mechanism circulating thecarrier gas between the ultrasonic atomization chamber and thecollection portion, wherein the height of an interior space portion ofthe ultrasonic atomization chamber from the surface of the solution isnot higher than 50 cm, and the blower mechanism transports the carriergas in the interior space portion of the ultrasonic atomization chamberat the velocity not less than 0.01 m/s.
 8. The ultrasonic solutionseparator according to claim 1, the ultrasonic solution separatorfurther comprising a blower mechanism circulating the carrier gasbetween the ultrasonic atomization chamber and the collection portion,wherein the blower mechanism transports the carrier gas so as to keepthe ratio FN (1/min.) of the volume V (litter) of the interior spaceportion to the flow rate of the carrier gas F (litter/min.) of theultrasonic atomization chamber not less than
 1. 9. The ultrasonicsolution separator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality ofultrasonic atomization chambers are stacked and are connected inparallel or in series.
 10. The ultrasonic solution separator accordingto claim 1, wherein the collection portion includes a conductive metalplate, a cooler cooling the metal plate, a counter electrode opposed tothe metal plate, and a high voltage power supply, which has one terminalconnected to the metal plate and another terminal connected the counterelectrode and generates an electric filed between the metal plate andthe counter electrode.
 11. The ultrasonic solution separator accordingto claim 1, wherein the collection portion includes a main collectionportion and a primary collection portion connected upstream to the maincollection portion, and the primary collection portion includes any oneof, or two or more of cyclone, punched plate provided with numbers ofsmall holes, wire mesh demister, chevron, filter, capillary, honeycombor a device for collecting the mist by means of electrostatic attractionforces.
 12. The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 11, theultrasonic solution separator further comprising a blower mechanismcirculating the carrier gas between the ultrasonic atomization chamberand the collection portion, wherein the blower mechanism is providedbetween the main collection portion and the primary collection portion,or between the ultrasonic atomization chamber and the primary collectionportion.
 13. The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1,wherein the carrier gas is an inert gas or a low water soluble gas. 14.The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, the ultrasonicsolution separator further comprising a cooling heat exchanger forcooling the carrier gas transported to the collection portion, thecooling heat exchanger being connected to the outlet side of theultrasonic atomization chamber, and a vapor heater for heating thecarrier gas transported to the ultrasonic atomization chamber, the vaporheater being connected to the outlet side of the collection portion,wherein the vapor heater includes a heat exchanger, and a circulationpath of a refrigerant connects the heat exchanger of the vapor heater tothe cooling heat exchanger.
 15. The ultrasonic solution separatoraccording to claim 14, wherein the circulation path of the refrigerantconnects a compressor to an expansion valve in series, and the heatexchanger of the vapor heater liquefies the gas refrigerant, which iscompressed by the compressor whereby heating the vapor heater, while thecooling heat exchanger vaporizes the liquefied refrigerant wherebycooling itself.
 16. The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim14, wherein a plurality of cooling heat exchangers are connected inseries, and a plurality of vapor heaters are connected in series so thatthe refrigerant is circulated around the plurality of cooling heatexchangers and the plurality of vapor heaters.
 17. The ultrasonicsolution separator according to claim 1, wherein the internal pressureof the ultrasonic atomization chamber is higher than the atmosphericpressure, while the internal pressure of the collection portion is lowerthan the atmospheric pressure.
 18. The ultrasonic solution separatoraccording to claim 17, the ultrasonic solution separator furthercomprising a blower mechanism circulating the carrier gas between theultrasonic atomization chamber and the collection portion, wherein theblower mechanism is provided on the outlet side of the ultrasonicatomization chamber and the inlet side of the collection portion. 19.The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, wherein asolution or a powder is injected into the carrier gas on the pathupstream from the collection portion or a circulation duct.
 20. Theultrasonic solution separator according to claim 19, wherein thecollected solution, or particles capable of aggregating the mist areinjected into the carrier gas.
 21. The ultrasonic solution separatoraccording to claim 1, wherein a first spray vessel for spraying asolution into the carrier gas is connected to the outlet side where thecarrier gas is ejected from the ultrasonic atomization chamber, while asecond spray vessel for spraying a solution into the carrier gas isconnected to the inlet side where the carrier gas is injected into theultrasonic atomization chamber, and a solution stored in the first spayvessel is sprayed into the second spray vessel, while a solution storedin the second spay vessel is sprayed into the first spray vessel. 22.The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, wherein thecollection portion includes a permeable membrane having a pore size thatis larger than a particle of a solvent of the solution and is smallerthan a particle of the target material, wherein the target material isseparated by selectively passing the particle of the solvent containedin the mist or vapor, which is produced in the ultrasonic atomizationchamber, by means of the permeable membrane.
 23. The ultrasonicseparator according to claim 22, wherein the permeable membrane is madeof material including any of zeolite, cellulose, carbon, silica andceramic.
 24. The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, theultrasonic solution separator further comprising a secondary collectionportion collecting vapor of the target material ejected from thecollection portion by absorbing the vapor of the target material bymeans of an absorbent, the secondary collection portion being connectedto the collection portion, wherein the collection portion aggregates andcollects the mist produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber, andthe secondary collection portion collects the vapor of the targetmaterial by absorbing the vapor of the target material by means of theabsorbent.
 25. The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 24,wherein the collection portion aggregates and collects the mist, whichis produced in the ultrasonic atomization chamber and is transportedwith the carrier gas to the collection portion, and the secondarycollection portion collects the vapor of the target material included inthe carrier gas, which is collected by the collection portion.
 26. Theultrasonic solution separator according to claim 25, wherein thecollection portion includes a cooling heat exchanger for cooling thecarrier gas, and the target material included in the carrier gas isseparated from the carrier gas by cooling the carrier gas by means ofthe cooling heat exchanger.
 27. The ultrasonic separator according toclaim 25, wherein the secondary collection portion includes a rotaryrotor having a void, through which the carrier can pass in its rotationaxis direction and which is provided with the absorbent, and the rotorrotates movably between an absorption area and a regeneration area,wherein the carrier gas including the vapor of the target materialpasses through the void, and the target material included in the carrieris absorbed into the absorbent, when the rotor moves to absorption area,while the absorbed target material is ejected, and the ejected targetmaterial is collected, when the rotor moves to the regeneration area.28. The ultrasonic separator according to claim 27, wherein a collectionpath separating the target material, which is absorbed to the absorbent,is connected to the regeneration area of the rotor, the collection pathbeing connected to a heater heating the collected gas, and a blowermechanism passes the collected gas, which is heated by the heater,through a path of the regeneration area of the rotor, and a condensationheat exchanger collecting the target material by cooling the collectedgas, which passes through the void of the regeneration area of the rotorand includes the target material, wherein the collected gas, which isheated by the heater, passes through the regeneration area, and thecollected gas, which passes through the regeneration area, is cooled bythe condensation heat exchanger, whereby the target material included inthe gas is aggregated and collected.
 29. The ultrasonic separatoraccording to claim 24, wherein the absorbent is any of, or a mixture oftwo or more of zeolite, activated carbon, lithium hydroxide and silicagel.
 30. The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, whereinthe ultrasonic oscillator is watertightly fixed to a detachable plate,and the detachable plate is watertightly and detachably attached to acasing of the ultrasonic atomization chamber, wherein the detachableplate is attached to the casing of the ultrasonic atomization chamberwhereby the ultrasonic oscillator can oscillate the solution in theultrasonic atomization chamber at an ultrasonic frequency.
 31. Theultrasonic solution separator according to claim 30, wherein thedetachable plate includes a front side plate and a backside plate, whichare laminated and watertightly sandwich the ultrasonic oscillatorbetween them so that an oscillation surface is positioned in a throughhole, which is provided in the front side plate.
 32. The ultrasonicsolution separator according to claim 31, wherein the backside plate isprovided with a recessed portion, in which the ultrasonic oscillator isfitted, on its surface opposed to the front side plate.
 33. Theultrasonic solution separator according to claim 1, the ultrasonicsolution separator further comprising a blower mechanism, which blows toa liquid column generated on the surface of the solution by ultrasonicoscillation of the ultrasonic oscillator so that the liquid column bendsin the direction that is parallel to the surface of the solution. 34.The ultrasonic solution separator according to claim 33, the ultrasonicsolution separator further comprising a bubble generator providingbubbles to the solution of the ultrasonic atomization chamber.
 35. Theultrasonic solution separator according to claim 34, the ultrasonicsolution separator further comprising a temperature control mechanismfor keeping the temperature of the solution of the ultrasonicatomization chamber not higher than 30° C.
 36. The ultrasonic solutionseparator according to claim 33, wherein a shield shielding the surfaceof the solution from a gas in the ultrasonic atomization chamber wherebypreventing vaporization of the solution into the gas is provided on thesurface of the solution, the shield being provided with a through hole,from which the liquid column protrudes, wherein an outlet is arranged toeject the solution provided on the upper surface of the shield wherebyseparating the solution provided on the upper surface of the shield fromthe solution of the ultrasonic atomization chamber.
 37. The ultrasonicsolution separator according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonicatomization chamber is connected to a solution supply pipe supplying thesolution thereto, and the solution supply pipe supplies the solutioninto the interior space portion of the ultrasonic atomization chamberand includes the ultrasonic oscillator, wherein the solution supply pipeejects the solution while oscillating the solution at an ultrasonicfrequency inside the solution supply pipe by means of the ultrasonicoscillator whereby producing the mist of solution.